Pre-polling, predicting, predetermining; none of it has any merit after a decision will be made based on the ballots cast today.
But tension has built over the ultimate determination because of the virtual tie in recent polls, that tension cannot be denied. Today’s (or tomorrow’s, or what may even end up being the next few days) will set the tone for Washington for years to come. Bipartisanship was something that President Barack Obama was determined to achieve when he was elected into office in 2008. But as the last four years have shown, it isn’t so easy to achieve compromise.
But the posing issue of loyalty to party affiliations in Washington isn’t the black and white (or red and blue) decision voters think it is.
There have been flops on both Obama and Romney’s campaigns. Like Romney’s comments on liking to be in a position to fire people, and Obama’s weak performance during the first debate. But recent events, debates, statistics and disasters have all contributed to the fluctuating polls that end up with a number, without enough of a margin to eradicate possible margins of error.
The citizen’s eye should now take a deeper look at the candidate’s platforms. To know what has happened and what will happen once the positions in the legislative and executive branches are filled. So what is at stake? What are the issues that will be addressed in the coming four years? It is more than you’d think.
Government in the US has been divided to the point of no compromise. And if decisions aren’t made they go to the Supreme Court. Even though court justices have lifetime appointments, this year’s election will effect them greatly as well. Two of the nine justices are expected to retire in the upcoming years, and whomever fills those seats will give whichever party is in office a substantial advantage.
The issues include the federal mandate which required religious organizations to cover contraceptives. Not only did this mandate fuel the fire between Democrats and Republicans, but also between men and women when the comments on the issue became part of “The Gender Wars.” And not to mention that this argument ties into the decision between pro-life and pro-choice.
Or the DREAM-Act lite when the Obama administration decided to stop deporting young illegal immigrants who came to America as children. Romney supports this act along with letting immigrants who serve in the military stay. But also wants to build a fence and increase border security to create a long-term solution for immigration reform.
And when the supreme court upheld the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) on June 28. The Obama administration saw this upholding as a momentous legal victory. But Romey’s campaign has promised to change, dismantle or omit parts of the act he deems as disagreeable.
Let us not forget each candidate’s approach to building our economy. Will it be to put the focus on the middle class or reinstate the “trickle down” concepts of Reaganomics?
What many citizens aren’t aware of is that the president doesn’t have much control on the economy. Congress controls the money. Americans and the media have criticized and praised presidents in our history based on how well the economy was doing. Yes, the president does have some say on the way our money is spent, but he doesn’t have the ultimate say. Since those decisions are made by congress, the elected house and senate seats are just as crucial to pay attention to as the president.
Both Romney and Obama write Op-Ed pieces special to CNN. Romney focused on the strength and perseverance of America. His stance is that we know what our nation is capable of and to, “Let us remember our history. We have accomplished so much, both in the world and at home. We’ve defeated tyrannies. We’ve lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty. We’ve transformed our own society into a more perfect union. We’ve created a land of freedom and prosperity. The problems we need to overcome now are not bigger than we are. We can defeat them. I am offering real change and a real choice.”
In Obama’s letter to CNN, he went back to the concept of change and what it really means in America. His view is that it relies on the success of the middle class. When referring to Romney holding the title of President he writes:
“The folks at the very top don’t need another champion in Washington. The people who need a champion in Washington are the Americans whose letters I read at night; the men and women I meet on the trail every day. The cooks and cleaning staff working overtime at a Las Vegas hotel. The furniture worker retraining for a career in biotechnology at age 55. The teacher who’s forced to spend less time with each student in her crowded classroom. Her kids, who dream of becoming something great. Every small business owner trying to expand and do right by his or her employees — all of these Americans need a champion in Washington. When these Americans do well, America does well. That’s the change we need right now. It’s time to finish what we’ve started — to educate our kids, train our workers, create new jobs, new energy, and new opportunity — to make sure that no matter who you are, where you come from, or how you started out, this is the country where you can make it if you try.”
Not only are we making choices for the executive position, but we make the choices for our representation. Congress will be decided, and the shift between the two parties, unfortunately, are a crucial part of the agenda for the future of America. There are more than enough differences in policies to know that whomever is elected today is a choice between two very different plans for our nation.
Know which plan you support, not which color. Know the change that is coming.
Follow DISTRICT tonight on our main webpage and twitter to keep updated on the presidential election once polls close.
